Three Macomb County high schools share in federal grant

Three Macomb County high schools are among 23 in Michigan sharing in a federal grant that seeks to incorporate healthy lifestyles into improved academic performance.

The initiative, called “think.respect., is funded by a $24 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The effort is part of the larger Safe and Supportive Schools model.

In Macomb County, the Clintondale, Fitzgerald and New Haven districts are among the grant recipients.

Grant money is doled out to districts to develop and implement programs designed to raise academics by focusing on many students’ needs.

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Schools can select from an approved list of intervention programs, including anti-bullying measures, restorative justice, parent and youth engagement, community involvement and other efforts.

“We are hoping to learn some new lessons associated with a holistic approach to education,” said Mike Flanagan, state superintendent. “… Schools need every tool at their disposal to deliver a high quality education to students across Michigan.

“In these 23 high schools, we’re approaching the learning process in a different way, since for many students in our schools, academics are only one part of the educational process.”

Gerrie Brown, building liaison at Clintondale High School, said programs at her school try to identify the challenges individual students face that might hinder classroom performance. For example: A student who doesn’t eat well on a regular basis might be referred to the school nutritionist for evaluation. Or a bullied student who’s fearful to even attend school could benefit from an anti-bullying program.

One important initiative at Clintondale, Brown said, is parent engagement. As the phrase implies, Clintondale is working to get parents to take a more active role in their children’s learning.

By combining various and appropriate services, Brown said, students have much better chance to demonstrate academic improvement, which can be measured by assessment test scores.

“The child is less likely to fall through the (cracks),” Brown said.

Barbara VanSweden, superintendent of Fitzgerald Public Schools, suggested a successful use of the grant funds will produce positive benefits far beyond the classroom.

“By improving the school’s environment, the Warren community as a whole is improved,” she said. “Fitzgerald High School students will be more prepared to enter the community as productive, self-sufficient adults because of the exposure to the think.respect. campaign.”